Sale Sharks have named their side to face Saracens at the StoneX Stadium on Sunday. Alex Sanderson makes thirteen changes to his starting XV as he includes England trio Bevan Rodd, Tom Curry and Raffi Quirke and returning Springbok Lood de Jager for the Sharks’ return to Gallagher Premiership action in North London. (Live on BT Sport – Kick-off 3pm)
On what is Sanderson’s first trip back to Saracens since taking the reins at Sale Sharks, the Sharks Director of Rugby names a highly experienced matchday 23 to face his former club in Sunday’s Premiership showdown.
Following his return from international duty, England loosehead Bevan Rodd joins Springbok Akker van der Merwe and Nick Schonert in a mobile Sale front row. The trio have the power and presence of Jean-Luc du Preez and World Cup winning Springbok Lood de Jager in behind them in the second row.
Jono Ross returns to action to captain the Sharks from his usual position of blindside flanker. The Sale skipper joins the influential Ben Curry and abrasive Daniel du Preez in the back-row.
The Sharks’ man of the moment Raffi Quirke returns from England’s Autumn Nations camp and is named by Sanderson at scrum-half, replacing the impressive Gus Warr.
Quirke is joined by USA fly-half AJ MacGinty at half-back with the pair marshalling a Sale back line stacked with talent.
South African international Rohan Janse van Rensburg lines up at inside centre and provides plenty of power and gain-line threat on MacGinty’s shoulder. The Springbok has the skillful Sam James outside him in the thirteen shirt.
Tom Roebuck and Byron McGuigan join Simon Hammersley in an experienced Sale back three.
On the bench, Ewan Ashman returns from his loan spell with Glasgow Warriors after Curtis Langdon was ruled out of action through injury. The Scotland star is named as a front row replacement alongside Ross Harrison and Coenie Oosthuizen. Jean-Pierre du Preez and Tom Curry offer further cover for the forwards.
Gus Warr, Robert du Preez and Luke James cover the backs.
